A Study of Dementia and Neurological Problems in HIV Infected Patients Who Are Participating in ACTG A5175

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The purpose of this study is to determine how often dementia and other neurological problems occur in people with HIV. Participants of ACTG A5175 will enroll in this study.

Condition or disease

Intervention/treatment

HIV Infections

Behavioral: Neurological assessment

Detailed Description:

Both the central and peripheral nervous systems (CNS and PNS) are affected by HIV; however, the causes of neurotoxicity in HIV infected patients are unknown. Initial data indicate that as many as 40% of patients with HIV develop some form of dementia. Other common neurological problems observed in HIV patients are peripheral neuropathy and opportunistic infections of the CNS. Most antiretroviral drugs used in the treatment of HIV have poor penetration into the CNS, which may explain how HIV persists in the CNS and contributes to the prevalence of dementia and other neurological disorders in HIV infected patients. This study will examine the prevalence of dementia and other neurological disorders in participants in ACTG A5175, "Once-Daily PI/NNRTI Therapy Combinations for Treatment Naive, HIV Infected Patients in Resource-limited Conditions."

The study will last approximately 2.5 to 3 years. Participants will undergo neurological examinations and neuropsychological assessments at entry to both steps of ACTG A5175 and before the administration of the new antiretroviral regimen, then every 24 weeks until they discontinue ACTG A5175. Physicians will make targeted diagnoses at each study visit.

Participants will undergo neurological examinations and neuropsychological assessments at entry to both steps of ACTG A5175 and before the administration of the new antiretroviral regimen, then every 24 weeks until they discontinue ACTG A5175. Physicians will make targeted diagnoses at each study visit.

Behavioral: Neurological assessment

All participants will undergo neurological examinations and neuropsychological assessments.

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Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years and older (Adult, Senior)

Sexes Eligible for Study:

All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Sampling Method:

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

All participants who enrolled in ACTG study 5175

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

HIV-1 infected

Prior antiretroviral therapy for less than 7 days any time prior to study entry

CD4 count less than 300 cells/mm3

Willing to use acceptable means of contraception

Plans to stay in the area for the duration of study participation

Willing to adhere to study follow-up schedule for ACTG A5175 and this study

Have not begun ACTG A5175 antiretroviral therapy, but planning to start therapy after enrolling in this study

Exclusion Criteria:

Any active severe psychiatric illness (e.g., schizophrenia, severe depression, severe bipolar affective disorder) that, in the opinion of the site investigator, may interfere with the study results

Current drug or alcohol abuse that, in the opinion of the site investigator, would interfere with study requirements

Serious illness or hospitalization that, in the opinion of the site investigator, may interfere with the study results

Any condition that, in the opinion of the site investigator, would interfere with study requirements